The claim
Unfortunately, the idea that ticks wait in the branches and leaves of trees to pounce on a suitable human or animal host still persists.
Our conclusion
However, the parasites can be found about 30 to 70 cm high on blades of grass and bushes and do not 'jump' onto their victims, but are brushed off as they pass by and then hold on.
Karin Ott, deputy head of the district forestry office in Biberach (Upper Swabia), explains how much truth there is in it. From her professional background, she knows the “hunting behavior” of ticks very well and also knows how best to defend herself against the small but dangerous parasites.
“Unfortunately, the idea that ticks wait in the branches and leaves of trees to pounce on a suitable human or animal host still persists. That's not true at all. The small parasites are much more likely to be found at a height of around 30 to 70 cm on blades of grass and bushes and do not 'jump' onto their victims, but are brushed off as they pass by and then hold on.”
Karin Ott
The habitat of the annoying bloodsuckers is by no means limited to forests: they are just as widespread in gardens, parks and fields, where they are mainly active from March to October.
Small sting with far-reaching consequences
A tick bite can have far-reaching consequences: Some ticks carry pathogens of serious diseases such as the sometimes life-threatening tick-borne encephalitis (TBE for short) and Lyme borreliosis and can transmit these to their host. “The proportion of ticks that transmit TBE is very low at an estimated 0.1 to 5 percent, but the corresponding risk areas are increasingly spreading,” explains the deputy head of the forestry department. The occurrence of Borrelia in ticks varies greatly depending on the area and, according to the Robert Koch Institute, can be up to 30 percent. The total number of ticks in Germany is also continuing to increase, says Karin Ott - climate change and the associated milder winters are seen as the reason for this.
Protection instead of couch potato
Children in particular are exposed to an increased risk of tick bites because, on the one hand, they tend to explore off the beaten path in bushes and meadows and, on the other hand, because of their size, they are literally “at eye level” with the ticks .
According to Karin Ott, this should definitely not be a reason to avoid trips into the countryside: “Staying and exercising in the great outdoors is a wonderful balance to everyday life and offers an opportunity for relaxation for young and old. There is so much to discover in our forests and meadows!” She therefore recommends taking protective measures rather than becoming a couch potato. A vaccination is important, but only protects against TBE.
“That's why we at the Forestry Office absolutely rely on protection with an anti-tick spray for our employees.” The special combination of the proven active ingredient Icaridin and plant-based Eucalyptus citriodora oil, which is used, for example, in ANTI BRUMM Tick Stop, provides particularly effective protection Pharmacy is included. The spray protects against tick bites for up to 8 hours and is well tolerated by the skin.
Expert tips from the “forest expert”
As deputy head of the forestry department, Karin Ott is out in the great outdoors almost every day. Her expert tips beyond using anti-tick sprays: “If possible: stay on the paths. Light-colored clothing helps to detect crawling ticks early and get rid of them before they bite. After the trip, you should check yourself – and your own children if necessary – thoroughly from head to toe for ticks. And very important: Ideally, you should throw clothes that you have been wearing outdoors straight into the wash instead of wearing them again the next day. Because there may be little crawlers hiding in there that haven’t been able to bite yet or that have fallen off again in the meantime.”
Why do we celebrate “Arbor Day”?
On April 25, 2023, “Arbor Day” will be celebrated in Germany for the 71st time. It was launched in 1952 by the German Forest Protection Association to draw attention to the severe forest losses caused by the war. Nowadays, this date is primarily about raising awareness of the great importance of trees for people and the environment. In this context, for example, the consequences of global climate change and the spread of intensively agricultural areas for the local tree population are discussed.
About ANTI BRUMM tick stop
ANTI BRUMM Tick Stop is a specially developed tick spray with double the power of active ingredients: With the combination of skin-friendly Icaridin and natural eucalyptus citriodora oil, it offers reliable protection against ticks for up to 8 hours.
In addition to the classic use directly on the skin, the spray can also be used stain-free on textiles. It does not contain any additional preservatives or perfume and, if used sparingly, can be used for children aged 2 and over. The product is available in pharmacies. More at: www.antibrumm.de
Mandatory text : Use biocidal products carefully. Always read the label and product information before use.
Source:
Press portal
You might also be interested in:
Are oil beetles poisonous to people and animals?
Miracles of nature in a fact check: Hatching chicks in an open egg
Eating to go: Is it healthy, cheap, sustainable? | The tricks…
Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )